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Itchy Nipple

I am 43 years old and female. For most of my life my left nipple has been CONSTANTLY itchy. From young teenager to nursing mother to full-on adult, this has been a noticeable anomaly, and I cannot remember it ever NOT itching… it’s just a matter of the DEGREE of itch.
I have no discharge, no flaking, no relief from anti-itch creams, I do not wear a bra (not enough breast to hold one down!) and have ruled out detergent residue as a cause- for only one nipple is ever itchy and I have used too many different detergents over the years to not have noticed a change if there was to be one. The only redness and swelling that occur is from me constantly scratching, and it is localized to the nipple. It is very embarrassing sometimes in public, to walk around with one nipple erect (from surreptitiously scratching!) and on more intense days is absolutely driving me bonkers. What on earth could be causing this if it isn’t the usual culprits of cancer/eczema/residue? Is there possibly a hyperactive nerve or something? I am between doctors at the moment, and previous doctors have not really had an answer other than it is peculiar to only me… I have read posts on other sites, and no-one seems to have quite my circumstances, and so I am fishing here for others who might know what I have been dealing with most of my life. Thank you for any help/relief that may be forthcoming! Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday (and yes, that IS my name…)

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Answer #1

I’d like to give you a direct answer, but it does seem that you looked at all the obvious possible causes…here’s a few more to consider though:

Clothing irritation Soap allergy Perfume allergy Fungal infection Hormone replacement therapy Paget’s disease Breast cancer Eczema Nipple rash

I hope you get it figured out - it sounds horrible

Love the name, btw

Answer #2

So wierd! I have an ichy “left” nipple also. This is the second time in my life so I have absolutely no idea what is causing it. I keep thinking “maybe I’m pregnant”. But it is winter … and I live in a desert climate. Maybe it is dry skin. But why the “left” one?

Answer #3

I have had the same problem for 4 years now except on my right breast. I have had it checked and ruled out Paget’s as an issue. I also have mammograms yearly and I am only 37 years old. I started having problems when my then 9 month old got a yeast infection and passed it on to me while breast feeing. I took Diflucan as well as she. I have tried the whole detergent change, only wearing cotton bras etc. I have found that the itching is more obvious when I am ovulating. I am stumped with this problem to the point that I have often wanted to have an elective mastectomy to remedy the problem for good. I now this may sound extreme but I am so tired of the “itching”.

Beth

Answer #4

Im am 21, and have got the same problem, but to start with only my right nipple used to itch, now its both. I keep reading other threads and web pages about how it might be a fungal infection or a sign of breast cancer (nobody in my family suffers or has suffered from breast cancer) but its scary. Theyve been itching for about two weeks now. Im putting lotion on them everyday, so will see if this helps. Also, I dont think it may soap or detergent. im not pregnant or ovulating at the moment. They do not seem to itch really when I have my bra on, but when I take it off, they start to itch immensly it is really annoying, as you cannot scratch them as you would anywhere else on the body. I am thinking about going to the docs now, but I think I will give it another two weeks or so. I THINK it may be because of the cold weather here in England at the moment. And maybe they’re getting dry and sore because I dont wear a bra when going to bed, and the heating is almost continuosly on during the night.

Would be great if others could now comment on their situation after their trip to the GP

Answer #5

Hey your not alone, I to have an ichy nipple and it’s on my left nipple, I claw it and it gets very sore because I’ve scratched it so much. I am fed up with it, I’ve only had this problem a few months now. I’m going to see my doctor next week if I can find the time. I will let you know what the tock tells me and if any treatment works.

Answer #6

Happy holidays gals :( - I am having the exact same problem - left nipple and all!!! I have tried the percription Fluocinonide which was perscribed for itching on other parts of my body (itching with no apparent cause, no visible signs, seemingly from under the skin) and it works almost immediately and in most cases overnight - but it has not helped AT ALL with this!! How uncomfortable!! I, too, think it’s odd that it is the left nipple…I too live in a desert climate (AZ) now - have for a year vs Texas for the prior 12 years. If ANYONE finds something that works, please do tell! I will try my doctor next.

Sorry you are having this trouble too! Best of luck!

Susan

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